We make a nice pair
[We make a nice pair (AP255) - the moon bears from the Extinction sucks range]
This is our top selling design in the Extinction sucks range, and we will be donating proceeds from these cards to the Free the Bears Fund to help keep the bears alive and protected.
We are sponsoring Bouncer for a year - who was rescued after being caught in a trap as a small cub. He had suffered terribly and his right forearm was badly mutilated. Unfortunately, his arm had to be completely amputated but Bouncer has managed to adapt remarkably well and now lives happily with a group of Sun bears at the Wildlife Friends of Thailand Rescue Centre in Phetchaburi.
This bear is endangered because it is hunted and killed for its gall bladder and paws, and for the pet trade: young bears are sold as pets on the illegal wildlife trade, and from deforestation of their natural habitat. They reside in forests throughout much of southern Asia.
Reasons to love this bear:
1. Just like the moon every moon bear’s chest has a different shaped moon pattern.
2. Moon bears love to den in hollow logs and caves almost as if when you walk past they want to jump out and say peek-a-boo.
3. Moon bears love to splash water in their face.
4. They are very intelligent and have a large vocabulary, making clucking sounds during play and ‘tut-tut-tut’ sounds in warning.
5. Cubs will usually stay with their mother until they are around 2 or 3 years old as she teaches them many of the skills they’ll need in adulthood.
6. Bear cubs learn by following and imitating their mothers during the long period they are with her.
7. It’s not a myth bears love honey and will dig honey and termites to get their sweet treat - they are believed to be able to smell it from up to 5 kilometres away!
8. Whether its a ripe berry patch or a dripping honey comb, bears rely on their noses & will fight buzzing bees and biting termites when it’s dinner time.
9. The bears long slender tongue is ideal for licking honey from bees nests and for scopping up termites and other insects
10. Moon bear mothers often give birth to twins and have strong bonds with their cubs.
11. Moon Bears tend to be solitary, crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) animals once they reach adulthood. They can survive for up to 35 years in captivity, though usually live for 25 -30 years in the wild.
12. We will never know what thy dream about when they hibernate between November and March.
13. Spend most of the day Sleeping or sunbathing in the branches.
Conservation Facts:
• Vulnerable.
• Deforestation of their natural habitat.
• Illegal Poaching for fur, meat and gall bladders for TCM (Asian medicinal trade) popular for improving health.
• Hunting bears are hunted for sport.
• Malayan sun bears are hunted for bile and paws; that is popular for improving health.
• Pet trade: young bears are sold as pets on the illegal wildlife trade.
How you can help:
1. Adopt a rescued bear at http://www.freethebears.org. All proceeds ensure the bear orphan receives the very best care and attention and has a safe, peaceful and happy life in one of Free the Bears Funds sanctuaries.
2. Travel and Adventure ...Join Free the Bears Fund on a unique adventure by travelling to one of their Asian Sanctuaries to get up close and personal with the beautiful bears that they have rescued. You can make a real difference helping out with the enrichment program and food preparation for the rescued bears. For more info visit http://www.freethebears.org.
3. Become a member of Free The Bears Fund and help support them with their vital mission to protect preserve and enrich the lives of bears throughout the world. Visit http://www.freethebears.org.
4. Help care for rescued Bears by becoming a Volunteer in one of the Free The Bears Funds Asian Sanctuaries. For more info visit http://www.freethebears.org
Help at: http://www.freethebears.org
